Home > Work > Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs QUOTES

Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs QUOTES

1 " In my opinion, phobia indoctrination is the single most powerful technique for keeping people dependent and obedient. I have encountered numerous individuals who had long ago stopped believing in the leader and the doctrine, but were unable to walk away. They were psychologically paralyzed with indoctrinated fears which often functioned subconsciously. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

2 " Stories and metaphors are compelling ways to communicate information and change attitudes and behavior. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

3 " Being able to slowly and objectively size up a situation is crucial. We observe. We take a curious, yet concerned, attitude. We gather information in a relaxed, thoughtful manner, but we do not rush in to fix the problem. Using the information we’ve gathered, we determine what action to take. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

4 " If the member’s cult identity seems healthy, it could be co-opting the talents and skills of the authentic self. The result is that, to the untrained eye, cult members can appear completely normal. Asking questions that test a person’s thoughts and free will is the only way to evaluate the extent of destructive influence. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

5 " The more independent a person is, financially and physically, the less controlled he is by the cult. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

6 " News items are excellent for eliciting fear and inculcating phobias. Cult leaders like to tell members about floods, earthquakes, fires, famines, plagues, and wars–as proof that the last days have arrived. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

7 " 13.  The more distorted our sense of reality, the more certain we will be that what we believe is accurate. 14.  The more insistent a person is about the accuracy of his or her observations, the more likely it is that his or her sense of reality is distorted. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

8 " There are always two or more sides to an issue, so don’t accept any information at face value. Instead, be willing to hear all sides of the story. Take the time to explore both pro and counter–cult sites. Then you can develop your own, informed opinions. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

9 " learn the clichés, doublespeak and coded jargon that the group uses to shut down critical thinking. Each group has its own buzzwords and platitudes. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

10 " think in terms of a continuum of influence: at one end, respectful, ethical, growth-enhancing influence that recognizes the value of individuality, human rights, and creativity; at the other end, conformity, dependency, and slavery, where all authority lies with the leader and the group. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

11 " Advertisers use sophisticated psychological methods to manipulate our desires, thoughts, and behaviors. The goal is to create a need where none previously existed, or to amplify a need. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

12 " Some educational systems are designed to indoctrinate rather than educate. They demand conformity and obedience. But other educational systems encourage students to think for themselves, be creative, and respect themselves and others. Educational systems that use fear and guilt—and focus on competition and conformity—produce ready candidates for destructive cults. Students should be taught critical thinking skills and be encouraged to oppose blind conformity. Education should also encourage students to think from different perspectives. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

13 " By this Orwellian logic, happiness is suffering and suffering is happiness. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

14 " how much a person’s identity depends on what role he is playing. "

― Steven Hassan , Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs